The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1887-09-16
A Friend in Need.
A STORY OF MANS WEAKNESS AND wo-
MANS CRUELTY, WITH SEVERAL
MORALS.

MANS CRUELTY, WITH SEVERAL
MORALS.
1.
"Did you notice that man 2" asked a
leading pawnbroker of a friend who
chanced to be in his shop. "Poor fell
low, my heart blecds for him. He has
just left bis wedding ring with me-
The last tie which bound him to hap
pier days. His is sad story"
81 did not observe him particularly"
said the gentleman addressed. "Who
is he y
ale is the husband of we'll known
actress" replied the pawnbroker with
some warmth "snd he is the victim
of intolerable cruelty. Would you be-
lieve it, the woman who but few
short months ago sSore to cherish and
protect him now absolutely refuses to
contribute more than $25 week to
his support. You seem incredulou
but assure you it is true"
"Who is the man 7"
"His name is Brockholst O'Flynn,
and he is the husband of Miss st. Elmo
the burlesque actress
A cry of horror escaped the gentle
mans lips.
"My old friend O'Flynn! he ex.
claimed. "Is it possible that he has
come to this Strange that l did not
recognize him."
"Ah, sorrow and privation have al
tered him greatly
II must hasten and overtake him
perhaps something may be done ere it
is too late"
So saying, the gentleman hastened
from the shop and in few moments
had overtaken the unhappy man.
"Brockholst," be said gently, "what
is all this l hear? You reduced to
poverty; you whose wife could crafty
your every wish "
II know not how you have learned
my sad story, dear boy" said O'Flynn,
brokenly, "but it is true. / have borne
all patiently, uncomplainingly, for hei
sake for l shrank from the though,
Of exposing her to the censure of the
world. This morning l pawned my
last article of jewelry, our w-w-w-wed-
ding ring" and the unfortunate mar
burst into bitter tears.
"Cheer up, cheer up" cried his
friend. "All will yet be well. l will
SIZE her and interccde for you"
"You-you do not think" asked
O'Flynn in tremulous tones, "that she
would have the heart to require me
who have been so delicately reared, tt
to work 2"
"No, no, not that-not that" re
piled his companion, shuddering. "Sh'
is not capable of such baseness."
"You have given me new hope,' ex
claimed O'Flynn, "and now let us stel
into yon sample room, and will Sc
'em up."
"Good enough"
II.
''It is useless to say any more, Mr.
Maginnis $25 per week and his boar
are all will allow my husband"
The woman who uttered these..word
in cold, hard tone of voice was Mis-
St. Elmo, the actress the person ad
dressed, the friend of Brockhols
O'Flynn, to whom the reader has a
ready been introduced. .,.-
'Come with me, then," said Magir
mis-, sternly.
"Where?" demanded the woman.
"No matter; come. would teac
q you useful lesson"
In silence Miss st. Elmo followed hil
a from the house. He led her to a ma
row, dingy street in one of the lowe
a wards of the city, and finally pause
before building upon which ws
: painted in large letters, "THE NEV
! YORK WEEKLY HUSTLER"
"We have reached our destination
he said. "Be attentive and you wi
. gain much by this mornings experienc
Come"
y y She followed him up six flights {
stars and into small dingy roor
where, at a desk, hals buried in e
changes and MSS, sat a pale, haggal
man. He did not observe their e.
trance, for he was writing at the ra
, VI loO Woluo pei Liuutc.
q "Copy!" howled a phenomenal
!, dirty boy. rushing into the room.
u "Great Scott !" shrieked the edito
e for, as the talented reader has alreat
. gussed, he was ons of the fraternit
Z "I've got to have two columns ready
fifteen minutes, and I haven't got
e stickful yet. Jim, get some ice and
y it on my forehead, and then send o
y the growler. Quick !"
g "Who is this wretched being, al
ir what is he doingf' demanded Miss
Elmo.
d. "He is a journalist, and he is wor
g. ing" replied Maginnis. "This is wo
N and this is what you will drive OILY
1T to!"
Is "No, no." shuddered the woman,
e did not know what l was doing.
IS was mad, mad !"
y. "Now you're shouting. You "
W give him an order for your entire sala
Ks every Monday in the future'"
"Yes, yes"
" "Good enough. Now let us get c
te of this"
rs Miss st. Elmo never forgot that I
Is minutes visit to The Hustler offiC
st and to-day there is not a husband
~ New York who is supported in grea
ry luxury than Brockholst O'Flynn.-2
%, Bits.
er "Yes, sir, said the real estate age
N. "That piece of property on X street